Grace

Today was the last day of my structured reading plan given to me by a friend to read during the month of December.  I loved the literary path it took me down as I read of the foretelling of Jesus' birth, the events of the birth, and the fall out after the birth.

Today I read Titus 3:3-7.  I've read this and/or heard this many, many times.  Today it takes on new meaning.  It's all about Jesus ...the baby born that triggered this process of me coming to be called righteous.  Powerful.

If I trust the words of Scripture, then my confidence in going to heaven, in being called righteous (one belonging to God) lies on one thing:  Grace.  It's not through a belief in Jesus AND then the doing of "good things".  It's not a process of obeying commands/rituals/tenants.  Anything that makes us earn Heaven is misleading.  We had/have no part in our own righteousness.  It's all because of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  Our confidence that we have eternal life is Jesus and is confirmed by the Holy Spirit in us.

Granted, it's easier to try to earn when there is no confidence in our righteousness or eternal security that comes from the Holy Spirit.  I've played that game.  I played it for years thinking that my "good deeds" and "good girl" reputation would earn me a golden ticket to the pearly gates.  That ended poorly.  No peace.  No confidence.  It led me to pursue religion that praised my production.  

Then, SHAZAMM!  The truth of who Jesus was seen, accepted, and embraced.  The confidence was there, but so were the old habits of "earning" some brownie points with God and men. A little bit of Grace and a whole lot of "good deeds" followed.

Finally, a few hard knocks to get me to step back and really look at who God is  and who God is NOT, allowed me the insight to see fully the power of the Holy Spirit.  It's all about the life-changing and life-giving power that doesn't come from me and does the work in me:  Grace.  This is the better path, and unfortunately the path less taken.

Poor and weary travelers along the road of production and "good deed" makers: GRACE.  Have the courage to step back, stop, sit out, breath, and really see the Good News that silently screams over all other voices during this Christmas season.  This baby born from Heaven came to breath life into us, abolishing old systems and structures.  It's not about religion and it's trappings.  It's all about Him revealing kindness and love.  It started in a manger and ended on a cross.  All so you, YOU, could know with full-confidence the righteousness apart from works that He afforded us through the Holy Spirit.

Don't trust my words, trust the words of Scripture:  "He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Because of His grace, He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit Eternal Life.:  Titus 3:7

Grace to us all,
Christina